IT was a proud moment for the Confucius Institute at USP on Monday as they greeted and hosted Fiji's Ambassador to China, Esala Teleni.

Mr Teleni is the first, and probably the most appropriate ambassador to have visited the institute since its establishment in 2012.

"Thank you for contributing to the fellowship between China and Fiji and it is great to see you again since I saw you last in China," said the institute's Professor Denggui Li.

"Since 2011, we have been teaching Chinese languages here and our students have come from very different backgrounds — we've had people from the police force, from the businesses and students and staff of USP as well," he added.

Prof Li said the institute worked well to promote Chinese culture and language here in Fiji and the Pacific Islands and that Mr Teleni played a big role in echoing the same messages globally.

Mr Teleni said he was pleased to see the work which the team had put into promoting cultural understanding through language, education and research at the institute.

"I'm very impressed with the set up to help Fiji and to extend an arm into the Pacific.

"We're hoping to strengthen relationships between China and Fiji and between China and the Pacific region.

"Education is an important tool and now with the Confucius Institute, we have that platform to discuss educational opportunities."